Map Name: War of WizardsMapmaker(s): natty_dreadNumber of Territories: 138 land territories, 8 wizards, 40 spells == 186 totalSpecial Features: Losing conditions, bombardments, one-way assaults, collection bonuses, limited region bonus, ranged attacks, killer neutrals, decays, autodeploys, conquest gameplayWhat Makes This Map Worthy of Being Made: I've long wanted to make a fantasy-themed map, and this map here is my first attempt at one. The map has unique gameplay that is very complex and strategically challenging for various game types. The gameplay and bonuses depend on whether you start with a wizard of Dark or wizard of Light, and you have to adjust your strategy accordingly.

Each player starts with 1 wizard and his/her corresponding tower. The wizard can 1-way his/her own tower, but the tower can't assault back to the wizard. You need to bombard other wizards through the Temple of Fury which resets to 70 and can be bombarded by the level 5 spells. If you lose your wizard you're out of the game.

Your bonuses and spells depend if you start as a Wizard of Light or Wizard of Dark. You only start with 1 wizard and you can't take other wizards, so you're stuck with the side you start with and have to adjust your strategy accordingly.

I like the look that is map is going for I think. For gamplay, it is probably a map that I wouldn't play often, but it doesn't really look too complicated. It reminds me overall of some of old computer games I use to play back in the day. Hm,

Yeah... I'll probably redraw most of the icons after the gameplay is done, to get them in a more consistent style.

AndyDufresne wrote:I like the look that is map is going for I think. For gamplay, it is probably a map that I wouldn't play often, but it doesn't really look too complicated. It reminds me overall of some of old computer games I use to play back in the day. Hm,

The largest inspiration for the map was a 90:s PC game called Master of Magic. Maybe you played it sometime...

AndyDufresne wrote:I like the look that is map is going for I think. For gamplay, it is probably a map that I wouldn't play often, but it doesn't really look too complicated. It reminds me overall of some of old computer games I use to play back in the day. Hm,

The largest inspiration for the map was a 90:s PC game called Master of Magic. Maybe you played it sometime...

I may have, I can't recall. I know I've played a few titles by Microprose. And in general, and a number of fantasy-genre games from the 90's as well!

nebsmith wrote:How about the distance from each Tower to the nearest Port, it varies from 7 territories to 3.Would it be much of an advantage starting closer to a Port ?

Well, there are so many other factors in play here, it's hard to tell... but I don't really see how it would be that significant. Sure, the ports grant you some extra mobility, but there are other means to move around on the map.

Anyway, if it becomes an issue, the placement for the ports is by no means set in stone...

The island is relevant for the gameplay, so it's there. I wanted to basically divide the land mass in 2 parts, with an extra island in the middle that both sides can access, so a river/sea/bay/random body of water going through the middle of the map seemed like the most obvious solution.